Manager, Process Engineering

Kendo is seeking a Manager, Process Engineering to oversee technical project execution and product lifecycle management for Fenty Beauty and other core brands.

Serving as a critical liaison between Operations and Development, this role provides technical expertise and leadership to ensure new products meet all internal and external requirements. You will facilitate the seamless transfer of products from development to industrialization and mass production—collaborating closely with Packaging Development, Product Development, Quality, and external suppliers to align technical specifications with manufacturing feasibility.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment, demonstrates strong entrepreneurial leadership, and possesses exceptional documentation and communication skills.

• Manage new product development (NPD), newness execution, and the lifecycle of existing products for Fenty Beauty.
• Manage and monitor pilot batches, line trials, and first productions, ensuring industrialization success criteria are defined and translated into technical requirements.
• Lead and schedule pilot and line trial meetings for all new products through commercialization or first production.
• Oversee pilot project tasks, including batching, filling, and assembly.

• Create comprehensive reports summarizing scale-up and line trial outcomes, detailing corrective action plans where necessary.
• Maintain detailed records of work undertaken and summarize findings for senior management presentations.
• Support essential project documentation, including specifications, product dossiers, manufacturing procedures, process reports, and launch compliance documents.

• Support Quality assurance on non-conformances, including investigations and the updating of manufacturing procedures.
• Develop testing protocols and control plans in partnership with Quality and Development teams.
• Implement a manufacturing design review process incorporating manufacturing Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) assessments.
• Standardize processes for risk assessment and failure identification during the development phase.
• Support change requests and change controls for existing products in coordination with Contract Manufacturing (CM) sites.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; a major in Science or Engineering is strongly preferred.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in cosmetic product formulation. Experience in makeup/beauty and skincare emulsions is highly desired.
• Background: Prior experience working in Packaging, R&D, or a laboratory setting is advantageous.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with the MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Communication & Organization: Exceptional interpersonal, written documentation, and presentation skills; ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical protocols and draft operating procedures.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional organizational and time-management skills; creative problem-solving and analytical abilities with keen attention to detail; flexible, positive attitude; capable of working independently and cross-functionally.
• Work Environment: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic, and rapidly changing startup environment.